Josh Hamilton released by Rangers as yet another knee surgery looms

The former American League MVP is set to undergo his 11th knee surgery.

Josh Hamilton has run out of chances with the Texas Rangers after suffering yet another knee injury.

The team has released the former American League MVP from his minor league contract, a spokesman announced Friday — a move that seems likely to bring an end to Hamilton's hopes of returning to the majors.

The Rangers said Hamilton injured his right knee while rehabbing from a February procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee. He will need to have surgery on the right knee, the 11th time one of his knees has gone under the knife.

"I am disappointed but not discouraged that my knee problems have not allowed me to play this season," Hamilton said in a statement, via the Dallas Morning News. "I plan to have surgery on my right knee and then evaluate the situation. I want to thank the Rangers and all of the great fans for the support and encouragement. I really appreciate it."

Hamilton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, will turn 36 next month. He has played in just 147 major league games (including the playoffs) since the start of the 2014 season, most recently appearing in a Rangers division series game Oct. 14, 2015.

Though he was with the Rangers on a minor league deal, Hamilton will be paid $28 million this season — the vast majority of it by the Angels — as the five-year, $125 million contract he signed with Los Angeles in December 2012 finally runs out.